2022 is sort of “2020 + 2” . . .

It seems that a lot is happening this year that was “supposed” to happen in 2020, but which hit the “editing” floor due to Covid.

That is true for a number of events for us which have happened this past month…starting with a “girls’ trip” to Ireland. Planned and executed by my dear friend Stephanie, our March 13-21, 2020 scheduled tour of the Emerald Isle was the first major trip to fall to the lockdown axe, and though the disappointment was real, the delight of the trip happening this Aug 6-14 was even more real.

Stephanie, her sister Bridget, Lisa, and I experienced this beautiful country with breathtaking vistas for seven sunny, warm days. From Dublin to Cork to Kinsale to Dingle to Doonbeg to the Cliffs of Moher…we made tracks! Public transportation served us the first half of the week, and a rental car, driven by the fearless sisters (though admittedly all 4 of us were fearful at times on those skinny roads never intended for two way traffic!), got us around the second half. The sights we saw and the adventures we had made memories that will last a lifetime. We hiked, swam, kissed the Blarney Stone, rode horses, watched sunset at the Cliffs of Kilkee, walked the Cliffs of Moher on a gorgeous afternoon, ate great meals, stayed in beautiful hotels, and talked and laughed endlessly. It was refreshing, relaxing, and renewing.

Meanwhile, back in Bedford, Paul was recharging his introvert battery. First though, he was honored to preach at Carlisle Congregational Church on August 7th. That was followed by a few projects, a drive to VT to check out a potential small retreat site, and a flight to attend the funeral of Richard Hendrick’s mother who died suddenly that week. After a very people-intensive preceding 3.5 weeks, he thoroughly enjoyed being a bachelor for a week. He was happy for me and happy for him and we were both happy to be reunited seven days after going our separate ways.

*Sunset at the Cliffs of Kilkee, near Doonbeg, Ireland.*

*Our first day in Dublin, taking a walking tour through Trinity College.*

*Blarney Castle . . . on a gorgeous, sunny day.*

*Slea Head Drive in Dingle was spectacular.*

*Stephanie and Bridget’s dad, Harold, joined us the last couple of days and we all enjoyed having him.*

Barely home for 24 hours, we drove to the Cape on Monday, August 15th, to visit extended family who had just welcomed their first child, and then on to Pocasset to spend the afternoon and evening with our dear “chosen family” friends, Dan and Susan Yardley and their youngest of five, Abby. Since 1999 we’ve been doing life together with the Yardleys, who at that time, had two little boys and a girl on the way. Their “completed” family of five now has three college graduates, a current college student, and Abby, whom they adopted from Korea, and is in high school. Three of their children served on family camp staff both in California and in New England. Our paths don’t cross often enough since they live in Charlotte, NC, so it was an opportunity we couldn’t miss. We shared sweet fellowship.

*At the end of a great walk along the water in Pocasset, we had dinner together and then enjoyed the sunset and s’mores. A perfect ending to a wonderful afternoon.*

The next two weeks were a great mix of work and play. We counseled about 40 hours between the two weeks and spent a couple of days in Ogunquit, ME, and in Gloucester, MA, with John and Marilyn Nugent. Any time with the Nugents is good for the soul as our hearts are in sync and our shared history as chosen family is over three decades now. In both places, we walked endlessly on beautiful beaches, dined on freshly caught lobsters, and watched breathtaking sunrises. We celebrated John’s birthday in Ogunquit and Paul’s in Gloucester. Paul and John bodysurfed in “warm” ocean water and we drank in the beauty of God’s incredible creation. We talked a lot, laughed a lot, and tried to solve a lot of the world’s problems. More very "good for the soul" time.

*Floating down the Ogunquit “river” with an outgoing tide is one of the thrills of this beach town.*

*Paul and Christie Borthwick joined us for a few hours one day and we celebrated our mutual friendship and partnership.*

*Sunrise in Ogunquit . . . so worth getting up for!*

*Early morning sun reflection on the pools left from high tide…*

Between Ogunquit and Gloucester, we were overjoyed to attend the baptism of Nikolay Marshall. It was during family camp at Berea in 2015 that we first met the Marshall family. Greg and Tanya asked to meet with us to help them smooth out some marital challenges and during that meeting, both of them decided to follow Jesus, which they’ve been faithfully doing ever since. Nikolay recently decided he was “all in" for Jesus and made his public declaration at the Great Rock Church in Danvers on Sunday the 28th through baptism. We were so privileged to witness Nikolay taking this life-changing step.

*Celebrating with the Marshall family Nikolay’s baptism at Great Rock Church in Danvers. Joy!!*

Another completed trip around the sun for Birthday Boy Paul on August 29 was marked by the “proper fuss” of breakfast in bed with all his favorite things. That suspicious looking round glow on his omelette is a tea light for those wondering.

*Breakfast in bed for the birthday boy!*

The celebration continued in Gloucester, at Good Harbor Beach, where we joined the Nugents for another night of their vacation. Dinner out, followed by key lime pie, made it an extra special time and we were so happy to share it with our dearest friends.

*John and Paul, the two birthday boys, enjoy key lime pie in honor of their special days.*

*Blessed by perfect beach weather, we took advantage of walking Good Harbor Beach at low tide. Never gets old.*

In the midst of so many great, happy, and joyful moments, we’ve not been unaware of immense suffering of many around us. On Saturday, Sept 3, we marked the second anniversary of State Trooper Tommy Devlin’s death, resulting from an on-the-job injury sustained when a distracted driver hit him four years ago. We joined the family at the cemetery and remembered Tommy’s exemplary life, with many tears over it being cut so short. We were so thankful to be in town to share this day with Tommy’s widow, Nancy, her children, and some extended family.

*The Devlins gathered at the cemetery to honor Tommy’s life on the second anniversary of his death.*

September 4th marks the beginning of our other big “2020 + 2” event, but that will be part 3 of this chapter of our life. It will come much sooner than part 2!